Thailand – the 12th train-derailment in 2013, and they still have 28-days to go!

Via: Bangkok Post

A rail trip by State Railway of Thailand (SRT) governor Prapat Chongsanguan to show off the safety of the reopened northern track, following major repairs after a spate of derailments, instead became a…

The Nakhon Ping express train bound for Chiang Mai jumped off the track shortly after departing Lamphun  station at 9.30am. Mr Prapat and SRT executives were in the last car, the only carriage which derailed.

“The governor and executives took train trips to test the track from Sila At to Chiang Mai from Nov 28 to 30 to ensure the line was safe, before the normal service resumed,” SRT spokeswoman Nuan-anong Wonchang said in a press release.

Mr Prapat had promised to step down if the northern line had an accident after it was repaired and improved. Instead, the governor said after the derailment on Monday that the accident was due to human error and not related to the work done to repair the tracks.

“The problem did not involve the refurbished track. It was due to the Lamphun station master switching the rail track points too soon,” he said.

“The accident could affect travellers’ confidence,”  (Oh NO, do you think!) he admitted, but at least no passengers were injured or died.

As for the Lamphun station master, the governor said he had already been shunted to another position due to his reckless action and violation of SRT regulations.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/382812/train-with-srt-chief-on-board-derails-on-northern-line

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Thailand – ANOTHER Chiang Mai-bound train derails in tunnel

Via: Thai Visa

The train left Bangkok on Friday night with 415 passengers, many of whom were foreign tourists. It derailed at around 3am yesterday in the (over 100-year old) 382-metre-long Khao Pleung tunnel, located between Ban Pang Ton Phueng in Uttaradit and Huai Rai Station in Den Chai, Phrae.

The six carriages ended up leaning against the tunnel wall (hey if you were as old as these Thai carriages, you’d be tired too!); however, its five leading carriages were undamaged and able to resume their journey to Den Chai. The affected passengers were transported by rail trolleys to Sila-at Station, where 15 buses took them to Chiang Mai and other destinations. The derailment caused Bangkok- and Chiang Mai-bound train services to be suspended for hours (hours? yeah right) to allow for track repairs.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/658325-chiang-mai-bound-train-derails-in-tunnel/

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personal opinion:

I think the Thai rail system has been very lucky in dodging deaths with all their wreaks. But, ‘one of these days’ . . .

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(1 of 2) Thailand – CHEAP but DANGEROUS Travel

Via: The Post

A passenger train in Thailand got derailed in the mountains of northern Thailand early today, slightly injuring at least 30 passengers, mostly foreign tourists.

It was the second derailment on the same route in a month.

The overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai skidded off the tracks flipping seven carriages onto their sides, State Railway of Thailand Governor Prapas Jongsanguan said. The accident occurred in Phrae province.

Railway authorities believe the accident was caused by old tracks that were scheduled for repair.

Prapas said one passenger was seriously injured. The rest suffered minor injuries and were provided free transport to their destinations.

http://post.jagran.com/foreign-tourists-injured-in-train-derailment-in-thailand-1374040295

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RELATED POSTS: And then, we have THIS to look forward to:

1. ‘Thailand – Transport Ministry: BKK-Chiang Mai high speed rail ready by 2018’  – (250-300km/perhour)

https://seattle99.wordpress.com/?s=high+speed

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2. ‘Chiang Mai Monorail’ (5-10km/per hour??)

https://seattle99.wordpress.com/2013/07/18/chiang-mai-monorail-a-dream-come-true-looks-like-it/

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3. Personally, I’d rather fly, thank you.

‘1 0f 2′ Air Asia – Flight Attendants’

http://seattle98.wordpress.com/2011/08/17/air-asia-flight-attendants/

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Chiang Mai – Death Railway train re-discovered

Via: Chiang Mai Mail

An antique Japanese train that was used on the infamous Death Railway in Kanchanaburi and made its way to Chiang Mai only to disappear from train enthusiasts’ radar 20 years ago was found 25 kilometers south west of Chiang Mai on Highway 1269 by Phil Gibbins of Rider’s Corner sitting under a small roofed in area with four carriages nearby.

A quick contact with some Thailand based train enthusiasts yields the results that this 1936 Kawasaki steam engine was shipped over to Thailand by the Japanese for use during World War II, ferrying troops and munitions to Burma.

These steam engines were quite durable and in use until the 1980’s. Two locomotives remain in Kanchanaburi and are pulled out for operation during River Kwai Festival in December. This particular engine was renamed the 744 after the Japanese left Thailand and was used for a further 25 years by the State Railway of Thailand.

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Read more, HERE:

http://chiangmai-mail.com/current/news.shtml#hd3

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